Fire detecting and extinguishing system



Oct. 17, 1933. s. E. ALLEN I 1,930,670

FIRE DETECTING AND EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed May 10, 1932 INVEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 17, 1933 1,980,810 FIRE DETECTING AND EXTIN'GUISHINGSYSTEM Scott E. Allen, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to C-O-Two Fire Equipment Company, Newark, N. J., acorporation of Delaware Application May 10, 1932. Serial No. 610,325

7 Claims. (01. 169

My invention relates to fire extinguishing systems for the protection ofa plurality of rooms or compartments from a central station, whichsystem includes means not only for detecting a fire 5 but for locatingthe same. The system is particularly useful for ships in which means areprovided at some central point for indicating on what deck and in whichof various holds a fire is located. The detecting indicating system Iemploy is of the well-known type in which a suction chamber at anobservation point draws atmospheric samples from pipes running to thevarious compartments to be protected. This chamber has a window throughwhich the discharge from the pipes may be observed and the presence ofsmoke in any of the samples not only indicates fire but,

since the pipes preferably bear identification marks, it also locatesthe seat of the fire.

One object of my invention is to provide the suction pipes with controlmeans for regulating the suction therein so as to overcome the danger ofhaving the suction satisfied by air from compartments in which therehappens to be a higher pressure (such variations of pressure being dueto wind or other causes) or from adjacent compartments in preference toothers at a greater distance, (such preferential flow being influencedby lower friction in the shorter pipes).

In combination with this fire indicating system,

I provide an extinguishing system whereby fire extinguishing fluid maybe delivered to theaffected compartment or compartments from a centralcontrol station through the same pipes as those which were used toindicate the presence of fire. In other words, the suction pipes notonly serve to draw atmospheric samples from the compartments but also todeliver fire extinguishing fluid, preferably under pressure, to suchcompartments.

In order to use the piping system for this double purpose some meansmust be provided for preventing the fire extinguishing fluid from beingcarried into the suction chamber instead of being delivered to the seatof the tire. Such means must also operate not only during the actualdelivery of the fire extinguishing fluid but also after the extinguisherhas been delivered, otherwise the suction chamber would not only befilled with smoke from the region of the fire but would also draw outfrom the compartment the extinguishsmoke detecting pipes, andfurthermore to provide in each of said pipes a check valve which inresponse to pressure oi the extinguishing fluid will close oil a pipefrom the suction chamber.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a check valve of thecharacter described above which will remain in closed position evenafter the pressure of the extinguisher has been dissipated.

Another object of the invention is to provide 5 means for resetting thepressure operated check valve to its normal open position wheneverdesired, so that it will not interfere with the suction through the pipeinto the suction chamber.

Other objects and advantages of my invention 7 will appear in thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof together with amodification and thereafter the novelty and scope of the invention willbe pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing; 7

Figure 1 is a fragmental view in side elevation of my improved firedetecting and extinguishing system with a portion thereof shown insection;

Fig. 2 is a view of the same in front elevation with a portion thereofbroken away to reveal inan terior details;

Fig. 3 is a view in section on an enlarged scale of a preferred form ofcheck valve, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail view, largely in section, of a 5 modified form ofcheck valve; and

Fig. 5 is a view in cross-section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In Figs. 1 and 2, I show at an observation point 10 a suction chamber 11provided with an airon tight door 12 in which is a glazed window 13.Mounted on the top of the chamber is a suction fan '14 driven by a motor15 and having its intake pipe 16 leading out of the top of the chamber11.

Suction pipes 18 project into the chamber 11 and are provided withoutlets 19 disposed in front of the window 13. Each pipe 18 runs to aseparate compartment 20, only one of which is shown in the drawing. Ineach compartment the pipe 18 may be provided with branch pipes21 whichterminate in, collector hoods 22. These hoods are distributed atstrategical points about the compartment so as to draw samples of airfrom regions where fire is likely to occur. Each pipe 18 is providedwith a damper 23 which may be adjusted to regulate the suction in thepipe.

In operation, the suction fan 14 is driven by the motor 15 and draws airfrom the various compartments through the pipes 18. This air isdischarged from the outlets 19 immediately in front 110.

of the window 13, and, if any sign of smoke appears, the inspector willknow that there is a fire in the compartment from which said pipe leads.Steps may then be taken to extinguish said flre.

This system as so far described is well-known and possesses no noveltyexcept for the dampers 23 which may be set to regulate the suction inthe pipes in an extensive system, such for instance as might be employedin a large marine vessel. There is considerable pipe friction to beconsidered in long pipes and there is the danger that very little airmay be drawn from certain remote holds, so that a fire might obtainconsiderable headway before its existence was detected. Also certainholds are subject to greater air pressure due to wind, ventilation,temperature, and other causes, and there is a possibility that withoutthe dampers 23 or some such controlling means air would be drawn fromcertain compartments and others would be without any means of indicatinga fire.

A battery of the pipes 18 passes through a control station 25 which maybe adjacent the inspec- 'ion station 10 or as remote therefrom as con- 1nience dictates. At the control station, means e e provided forintroducing fire extinguishing l d into any of the pipes 18 as needed.This extinguisher may be any suitable fluid maintained under a headorpressure sufiicient to force it uickly the seat of the flre.Preferably the extinguisher may consist of carbon dioxide normallyobtained as a liquid under pressure. In 2, a source of liquefied carbondioxide is indicated at 26. From this source the fluid is fed into aheader 2'7, and, from the latter, branch pipes 28 lead to the pipes 18.Each branch pipe contains a valve 2Q for controlling the admission .i'extinguishing fluid into the pipe 18 with which it is connected. Betweenthese branch pipes and the suction chamber a check valve is provided ineach pipe 18 to prevent flow in the direction or the suction chamber.Said check valve is not responsive to the low pressure flow produced bythe suction fan but is actuated only by the higher 'oress re of the fireextinguishing fluid.

erred form or" check valve 3% is shown in 3. comprises a valve casingwitha bulge at one side to accommoproximately vertically I looped fluid,t. age 32. a ball 33 normally rests by gravity in one leg of the loopon projecting lugs 34 formed therein. The other leg of the passage isformed with a seat 35 for the ball. In moving from its normal support tothe seat, the valve has to pass over an intervening partition 36.

In operation the ball, while resting on the lugs 35 oflers no materialresistance to the flow of air or smoke through the pipe 18 toward thesuction chamber. When, however, the extinguishing fluid is admitted intothe pipe the pressure thereof is sufiicient to force the ball off itssupport and carry it to its seat, thereby preventing the flow of fireextinguishing fluid into the suction chamber. The ball will remain inits seat under pressure of gravity after the pressure of theextinguishing fluid has dropped to normal atmospheric pressure or less,so that there will be no chance for the fan to draw out of thecompartment the fire extinguishing fluid that has been dischargedtherein. To reset the valve I provide a plunger 3'7 which projects fromthe valve casing and is normally urged upwardly by a spring 33, with theinner end of the plunger just clear of the valve seat. Whenever it isdesired to unseat the ball, the plunger is given a smart blow which willtoss the ball over the partition 36 into the other leg of the loopedpassage, where it will remain resting upon the lugs 34 until againdriven to its seat by another dis- 30 charge of extinguishing fluid.

A modification of this valve is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Thismodification calls for an ofi-set in the pipe 18 which is provided by apair of elbows 40 between which is connected a short tubular valvecasing 41. Within this valve casing is provided a transverse valve. seat42 which is disposed at an angle from the vertical. A flap valve 43hinged at its lower end to the casing, rests by gravity against thevalve seat when the valve is in closed position. In the open position ofthe valve, shown by broken lines in Fig. 4, it rests against a stop 44.This open position is maintained by gravity against the current producedby the suction fan, but the valve will not resist the higher pressureproduced by the introduction of fire extinguishing fluid into the pipe18, so that when the extinguisher is introduced the valve willimmediately close, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 4, and cut oncommunication with the suction chamber. In this position, the valvewillremain until it is positively opened and to provide for such openinga hinge rod 45 to which the flap valve is secured is extended throughthe side of the casing and its outer end is bent to form a crank whichmay be provided with a suitable handle 46. The handle may be weighted toassist in holding the valve in open and closed position. By means ofthis crank handle, the

valve may be restored to open position whenever desired.

While I have described a preferred form of my invention and amodification of a detail thereof, it will be understood that this is tobe taken as illustrative and not iiinitative of the invention and that Ireserve the right to make such changes in form, construction andarrangement of parts as fall within the spirit and scope of tie:iollowing claims.

I claim:

1. In a fire detecting extinguishing system for a compartment, suctiondevice, a pipe leading from the compartment to said device, means forintroducing fire extinguishing fluid under pressure into the pipebetween said device and said compartment, a check valve responsive topressure of said fluid to prevent flow thereof to said device, and meansnormally supporting said valve in open position.

2. In a fire detecting and extinguishing system for a compartment, asuction device, a pipe leading from the compartment to said device,means for introducing fire extinguishing fluid under pressure into thepipe between said device and said compartment, a check valve responsiveto pressure of said fluid to prevent flow thereof to said device, meansnormally supporting said valve in open position, and manual means forrestoring valve from closed to open position.

3. In a the detecting and extinguishing system for protecting acompartment, a suction device, a pipe leading from the compartment tosaid device, means for introducing fire extinguishing fluid underpressure into the pipe between the device and said compartment, a checkvalve operable to prevent flow of said fluid to said device, said valvecomprising a casing and a closure member therein, the casing beingformed with a seat for said member when in 150 closed position and witha stop for the member when in open position, the relative position ofthe seat and stop being such that the member will be retained by gravityin either of said positions, the weight of said member being such as toprevent movement of the member by the suction of said device from opento closed position but to permit such movement under pressure .of saidfluid.

4. In a fire detecting and extinguishing system for protecting acompartment, a suction device, a pipe leading from the compartment tosaid device, means for introducing fire extinguishing fluid underpressure into the pipe between the device and said compartment, a checkvalve operable to prevent flow of said fluid to said device, said valvecomprising a casing and a closure member therein, the casing beingformed with a seat for said member when in closed position and with astop for the member when in open position, the relative position of theseat and stop being such that the member will be retained by gravity ineither of said positions, the weight of said member being such as toprevent movement of the member by the suction of said device from opento closed position but to permit such movement under pressure of saidfluid, and manually operable means for restoring the member from closedto open position.

5. In a fire detecting and extinguishing system for protecting acompartment, a suction device, a pipe leading from the compartment tosaid device, means for introducing fire extinguishing fluid underpressure into the pipe between the device and said compartment, a checkvalve operable to prevent flow of said fluid to said device, said valvecomprising a casing formed with a seat on the suction side of the valveand with a support on the opposite side, and with a partitiontherebetween, and a ball adapted to rest by gravity either on the seatto close the valve or on the support when the valve is open, the weightof the ball being such that it cannot be carried over the partition bypressure produced by the suction device but will be carried thereover toclosed position by the pressure of said fluid.

6. In a fire detecting and extinguishing system suction side of thevalve and with a support on the opposite side, and with a partitiontherebetween, a ball adapted to rest by gravity either on the seat toclose the valve or on the support when the valve is open, the weight ofthe ball being such that it cannot be carried over the partition bypressure produced by the suctiondevice but will be carried thereover toclosed position by the pressure of said fluid, and means for returningthe ball from the seat to the support.

'7. In a. fire detecting and extinguishing system for protecting acompartment, a suction device, a pipe leading from the compartment tosaid device, means for introducing fire extinguishing fluid underpressure into the pipe between the deviceand said compartment, a checkvalve operable to prevent flow of said fluid to said device, said valvecomprising a casing formed with a seat on the suction side of the valveand with a support on the opposite side and with a partitiontherebetween, a ball adapted to rest by gravity

